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Ishana is the guardian of the North- east direction, a duty he inherited from Soma. He is the incarnation of Lord Shiva and hence regarded as the embodiment of learning and master of knowledge. According to the principles of Vaastu Shastra, it is auspicious for places of work and homes to be situated in the north-east direction. The North is associated with Lord Kubera – the God of wealth and East is the direction associated with Indra- the God of wisdom and knowledge; hence the north-east direction is the pinnacle of both wealth and education. The physical element of space is a manifestation of Ishana.
Ishana is depicted with three eyes, and in one hand he holds a trident and in another a string of beads. His two other hands present the Abhaya (fear not) and dhyana (meditation) mudras. He is radiant – appears crystal in color, youthful and powerful.
The name Ishana has its roots in Sanskrit, where Is denotes "lord" or "possessor of power." Hence Ishana is named so due to his exceptional power. He possesses the power of revealment. He is worshipped for enlightenment, direction, and clarity of thought.
In the Vedic tradition,Lord Vayu is the friend of Lord Indra. He is associated with the human qualities of deep thought and being of a swift mind. He is the Lord of the North West quarter and a protector of the people. He is the King of the Gandharvas, and his abode is known as Gandhavati. He is said to be married to the daughter of the celestial architect Vishwakarma. He ruled over the spirits of the mountains who dwell in the foothills of the mountain Meru, a mythical mountain that exists in old legends.
Ishana is a form of Lord Shiva, and the Vishnu Purana describes the origin of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma tried many attempts at creation but was unsuccessful. He meditated with fervor for a child, after which a child sprang forth from his forehead and divided itself into a male and female part. The male part started crying inconsolably. On being asked the reason for crying, the child said it did not have a name, at which Brahma named him Rudra - the one who howls. However, Brahma had to give him seven more names - for the seven more times that the child cried, giving Shiva his eight forms: Rudra, Sharva, Bhava, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishana, and Mahadeva.
Ishana bestows knowledge and wisdom and as he is a form of Lord Shiva, he also confers prosperity on his devotees. Those seeking a higher level of consciousness and wanting to gain spiritual insight should worship Ishana.